Latest news with #PubBurgundyLion
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
Adam Fazackerley, an employee at Pub Burgundy Lion opens the patio in Montreal, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. Pub Burgundy Lion sign Quebec's language watchdog is reviewing the sign of Montreal's Pub Burgundy Lion, but its co-owner says changing it would be a disservice to the Little Burgundy community. The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. -- More to come. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. Story continues below advertisement This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
MONTREAL - Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
MONTREAL – Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec's language watchdog targets iconic Burgundy Lion pub
UPDATE: The OQLF has since said Burgundy Lion's sign can stay. The latest update on this story can be found by clicking here. The Burgundy Lion has stood in Little Burgundy for nearly 20 years, serving everyone from former prime minister Justin Trudeau to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante beneath a coat of arms that reads, 'Pub Burgundy Lion.' But that sign is now in the sights of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), marking the latest clash in Premier François Legault's drive to bolster French in public life. Since sweeping new language rules took effect in June, business owners have been left wrestling with the costs and bureaucracy of ensuring their signs and branding comply. Toby Lyle, the pub's co-owner, recalls a French-language inspector arriving about six weeks ago. He says the meeting 'soured' almost immediately when the inspector asked how to pronounce his last name. 'When I told him it was Lyle, he said, 'That's not a Québécois name.'' He then asked for the inspector's surname. He said he gave a Polish name, adding: 'Oh, I'm not Québécois either.' Lyle said he pressed: 'Were you born here?' 'Montreal,' the inspector said. 'Then guess what: you're Québécois,' Lyle said he told him. After the meeting, the inspector sent recommendations: Add French to a few missed spots on the website and on social media. Lyle agreed to those. But then came the demand he couldn't accept: Alter his sign to add more French. 'Pub' and 'Lion' were fine, but 'Burgundy,' he was told, was the problem. Lyle pointed to the neighbourhood's name, Little Burgundy — officially Petite-Bourgogne in French — which he says has been called by its English name for generations. 'It's part of the cultural identity of this place,' he said. 'Locals have called it Little Burgundy for many years.' The OQLF also asked him to change the names of some whisky regions, like the 'Highlands.' Lyle wrote back that these are locations 'whose names cannot be translated into French.' It's not Lyle's first run-in with the OQLF. During the 'Pastagate' uproar over an Italian restaurant's use of 'pasta' on menus, he said he faced his own 'Fish-and-Chips-gate.' He said the office ordered him to replace the menu item with 'poisson et frites,' but he says he was eventually allowed to keep the English term. There was also the time the pub was warned that a 'Recommended on TripAdvisor' sticker might breach Quebec's language laws. He called the travel site and asked for a French version. This dispute falls under Quebec's new rules, Bill 96. Any non-French business name or trademark on a sign must be paired with French text that is 'markedly predominant.' The requirement covers storefronts and interior displays visible from outside. Complaints, which often spark an inspection, can be filed anonymously. The pub has until mid-November to submit detailed plans for any changes. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $30,000 a day, penalties that double or triple for repeat offences. However, he vows to fight it, arguing the Office isn't respecting the 'historical and cultural significance' of the name. 'This is a 17-year-old brand,' he emphasized. 'It's a service to the neighbourhood.' He also took to Facebook to write about the matter, accusing the Quebec government of using language to divide people. 'We're living in a relatively unprecedented period of global and national turmoil, and issues like the perception of English-language signage are only being perpetuated by the state government in an attempt to divide the population and distract from the real economic and social issues that need to be addressed,' he wrote. In a statement to the Gazette, the OQLF confirmed an inspector visited the bar in July as part of its francization process and said there has been no final decision on the compliance of the display. 'Discussions have been initiated with the company,' said Gilles Payer, the office's director of communications. 'The Office is continuing to analyze the file and support the company in its francization process.' Payer did not comment on the interaction between Lyle and the inspector. This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 6:56 AM.
